ABOUT THE IBA
ABOUT THE IBA
Legacy and Vision
The IBA is a not-for-profit federal corporation continued under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, S.C. 2009, c. 23, and a national association comprised of Indigenous lawyers, judges, legal academics and scholars, articling students, law clerks, paralegals and law students. The IBA has over 330 members located across Canada.
IBA members individually identify as members of Indigenous Peoples of Canada whose constitutional rights are recognized and affirmed under section 35(1), and they also often represent members and collectives of the Indigenous population.
The IBA’s objectives include:
promoting the advancement of legal and social justice for Indigenous Peoples of Canada;
promoting the reform of policies and laws affecting Indigenous Peoples of Canada; and
fostering public awareness within the legal community, the Indigenous community and the general public in respect of legal and social issues of concern to Indigenous Peoples of Canada
The IBA is a growing and dynamic coalition of Indigenous leaders in legal thought and practice and its reputation as a formidable advocate on behalf of Indigenous Peoples has been solidified over the years. The member of the IBA are to expand our capacity, strengthen our networks and continue to give back to the communities that we serve. Looking forward, the IBA is again poised to grow and build upon the legacy of our senior members.
The IBA continues to be a voice for those within the legal profession who wish to protect the virtues of Indigenous laws that are expressed through our traditions, customs and cultures, who want to build Indigenous legal systems that honour the natural laws to which we are all subject, and who wish to secure a just and prosperous society for our future generations. We also hope to support the mental well-being of our members undertaking the challenging work and performing the endless demands that have become intrinsic to the legal profession, and to assist those who are coming up with new ways to theorize about and practice law. The members of the IBA collectively hold a tremendous amount of knowledge, expertise and vision and a corresponding responsibility to protect and advance Indigenous legal traditions on behalf of our ancestors and those yet to come.
Leadership
Board of Directors
The board of directors of the Indigenous Bar Association in Canada is comprised of volunteers who oversee the strategic direction of the organization and execute the vision of its members.
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PRESIDENTDrew was raised in Treaty 6 territory on the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation reserve and is also of Shuswap descent from the Simpcw First Nation in British Columbia. He advises First Nations and Metis communities on matters related to economic development, gaming, housing, commercial leasing, and corporate governance, structure and finance.
president@indigenousbar.ca
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VICE-PRESIDENT
Alexandria (Ajay) is Mohawk and Abenaki and from the turtle clan.
She received her JD from the University of Toronto, and her BA (hons) from the University of Alberta. Alexandria is a partner with Aird & Berlis LLP and specializes in Indigenous rights and Aboriginal law with a focus on issues including the duty to consult, negotiation and implementation of modern treaties and governance agreements, and partnerships between industry and Indigenous peoples. She is called to the bar in Ontario and Manitoba.
To contact Ajay, email her at: vice-president@indigenousbar.ca.
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TREASURER
Rheana Worme is an Associate at Semaganis Worme. She is the Treasurer of the IBA.
Rheana is a proud member of Kawacatoose First Nation. She graduated from Edwards School of Business with a Commerce degree in marketing in 2017and received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Saskatchewans’ College of Law in 2020.
During law school, Rheana completed an intensive clinical law program at Community Legal Assistance Services for Saskatoon Inner City Inc. (CLASSIC) in 2020, which gave her the opportunity to work in a community-driven, client-centred poverty law clinic for one semester. Throughout her time as a student, Rheana served as the Indigenous Law Students’ Association (ILSA) President for two years.
She focuses her practice in the areas of Residential Real Estate, Criminal Law, Non-Profit and Corporate Law, and Mediation.
To contact Rheana, email her at: treasurer@indigenousbar.ca.
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MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Stephanie is Chippewa from the Rama First Nation and from the marten clan.
Stephanie is an associate at McCarthy Tétrault LLP in Toronto. She maintains a broad litigation practice including class actions, media, and professional liability matters. Stephanie regularly works on behalf of First Nations communities and individuals. Stephanie has appeared as counsel before several levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
In addition to her legal practice, Stephanie commits significant time to both local and global Indigenous initiatives. Stephanie provides pro bono legal advice at the PBSC Indigenous Human Rights Clinic and mentors Indigenous high school students through the Martin Family Initiative Indigenous Mentoring Program. Stephanie has also served as a delegate at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and EU Working Group on Indigenous Populations.
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SECRETARY
Melinda is Michif / Red River Metis from Manitoba. Her Scrip bearing ancestors includes the Thomas, Hallett, Pruden, Stodgell, Larocque, Delorme, Hamelin and Hogue families.
Melinda received her JD from Robson Hall, University of Manitoba, and her education in life and love from her five amazing children. She has formerly served as the President of the National Indigenous Law Students’ Association and is currently on the Indigenous Advisory Council for the Federation of Law Societies.
Her career family is at MLT Aikins LLP where she is a current Articling Student and spent many former years as a Commercial Paralegal. Melinda specializes in Commercial Law, with a focus on Indigenous Economic Development.
To contact Melinda, email her at: secretary@indigenousbar.ca.
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SECRETARY
Victoria is a proud Métis-Cree from Winnipeg, with a deep commitment to Indigenous justice and legal advocacy. She holds a Juris Doctor (JD) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of Manitoba and is currently pursuing her Master of Laws (LLM) at Osgoode Hall.
As the principal of Perrie Law, Victoria focuses on criminal defence, police misconduct, and estate planning, providing legal services to communities in Nunavut and Manitoba.
With a passion for supporting marginalized and Indigenous communities, she uses her expertise to address complex legal issues and advocate for justice in the regions she serves.
To contact Victoria you can email her at: secretary@indigenousbar.ca.
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MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Cheryl is a proud Mi’kmaw woman from Epekwitk, with extensive experience in community-based policy development. She obtained a B.A. in Native Studies from the University of Lethbridge, an LL.B from the University of Victoria, and an LL.M from Osgoode at York University.
After briefly practicing law, Cheryl worked with a national Indigenous organization where she worked with First Nation communities across the country, assisting in developing culturally relevant governance models based on traditional systems before opening her own consulting business. Cheryl moved on to work with a Treaty rights implementation organization in New Brunswick, while teaching courses on identity law for Cape Breton University. She is now an assistant professor at Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University and teaches Aboriginal and Indigenous law. She is a porcupine quill and split ash basket artist and has trained numerous apprentices; she is now incorporating art as a method of transferring Mi’kmaw legal knowledge into her work. Cheryl lives with her husband and their two children in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
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MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Larry Chartrand is a Professor Emeritus of Law at the University of Ottawa. He is Michif Metis from the prairies. His area of scholarship is in the field of Indigenous peoples’ constitutional rights and in particular, Métis rights.
He obtained his B.Ed. from the University of Alberta in 1986, his LL.B from York University in 1989, and his LL.M. from Queen’s University in 2001. He was Director of the Aboriginal Governance Program and Professor of Politics at the University of Winnipeg from 2004 – 2007 and more recently the Director of the Native Law Centre at the University of Saskatchewan 2017-2019. Larry received the Law Society Medal, the highest honor of the Ontario legal profession, in 2017.
Larry is now back on the prairies teaching classes in Metis Law at the University of Alberta.
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MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Lori Mishibinijima is Anishinaabe from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory in Ontario. She is currently the Manager of Indigenous Initiatives at Osgoode Hall Law School, where she develops programs and initiatives that support the Indigenization of the school and curriculum. She also provides support to Indigenous students, applicants and alumni. In addition, Lori was Legal Counsel with the Human Rights Legal Support Centre for 10 years, where she provided legal representation to individuals respecting matters of discrimination under the Ontario Human Rights Code. She also acted as coordinator and helped develop the HRLSC's Indigenous Service where she increased access to justice for Indigenous people. For the last seventeen years, she has been a member of the Community Council, a criminal diversion program at Aboriginal Legal Services.
Lori has also served as the President of Native Men's Residence Board of Directors from 2011 to 2018, and continues as a director. In 2016, she was the recipient of the Minaake Award in Advocacy and Human Rights for her contributions to the Toronto Indigenous community. In 2023, she also joined the Indigenous Fashion Arts Board.
Student Representatives
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STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Pronouns: She/Her
I am of Nakota and Jamaican heritage, and I am a proud citizen of the Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation in Treaty 4. I grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan. Before law school, I worked in non-profit funding, helping Indigenous communities revitalize their cultures and languages by securing and administering financial support. I am currently an articling student with First Peoples Law LLP in their Ottawa offices.
I recently graduated from the University of Saskatchewan-College of Law, where I served two terms as President of the Indigenous Law Students Association, advocating for Indigenous students. I continue this work as the current Indigenous Bar Association Student Representative. I have been volunteering on non-profit boards since the age of 18 and most recently had the honor of serving as Chair of the Rainbow Youth Center in Regina, supporting inner-city youth transitioning to adulthood, as well as working with Pro Bono Saskatchewan, the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice and the Canadian Bar Association – Sask.
As an intergenerational survivor of residential schools and the Sixties Scoop, the impacts of colonization on my family and me deeply inform my perspective and fuel my passion for law. I’ve chosen this path to continue my advocacy work and to support Indigenous communities in revitalizing their laws and asserting their inherent rights and sovereignty.
Outside of my professional life, I love engaging in traditional ceremonies, golfing, camping, traveling, performing in theatre productions, and spending time with family, friends, my new puppy Lily, and my senior cat Muffy.
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STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Bio coming soon!
Executive Director
Racquel Fraser
Racquel Fraser is a member of Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation and is the Executive Director of the IBA and a lawyer with extensive experience in Indigenous law and governance. She is deeply committed to advancing the legal rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada, with a focus on sovereignty, self-governance, and traditional governance systems. Racquel plays a key role in advocating for the recognition and application of Indigenous legal frameworks and is involved in the development of strategic initiatives that promote Indigenous jurisdiction and access to justice.
In addition to her work at the IBA, Racquel has been engaged in policy discussions, proposal submissions, and grant applications to support Indigenous legal traditions and ensure equitable access to justice. She is responsible for driving key initiatives that support Indigenous jurisdiction, legal education, and policy reform, ensuring that the IBA remains a strong and effective voice for Indigenous legal professionals and communities. Through her leadership, the IBA continues to build capacity, influence legal and policy development, and strengthen Indigenous representation within the legal profession.
Racquel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Lethbridge and a Juris Doctor from the University of Victoria. She also serves as a trustee of her First Nation’s economic development corporation and is a Board Member-at-Large of the First Nations Power Authority.
Contact Racquel via email: executive.director@indigenousbar.ca
Indigenous Peoples’ Counsel
The Indigenous Peoples’ Counsel designation (I.P.C.) is awarded each year to an Indigenous lawyer in recognition of outstanding achievements in the practice of law. In particular, the I.P.C. designation takes into account the manner in which the individual pursues the goals and objectives of the IBA and serves their community and the Creator with honour and integrity.
A list of current I.P.C.’s is set out below:
Candice Metallic
David Nahwegahbow
Delia Opekokew
Dianne Corbiere
Donald Worme
Jeffrey Hewitt
John Borrows
Justice Leonard S. Mandamin
Kathleen N. Lickers
Kimberly Murray
Roberta Jamieson
Roger Jones
Valerie Napoleon
Gerry Morin
Stuart Wutke
Eileen Sasakamoose
Helen Semaganis
J. Wilton Littlechild
James (Sakej) Youngblood-Henderson
Jean Teillet
Mark L. Stevenson
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond
Murray Sinclair
Paul L.A.H. Chartrand
Professor Darlene Johnston
Indigenous Judges in Canada
KEY: * Member of the IBA
Alberta
Johana Price - Alberta Court of King’s Bench
Cheryl Lynn Arcand Kootenay - Alberta Court of King’s Bench, formerly Alberta Provincial Court
Karen Crowshoe - Alberta Provincial Court
CANADA
Michelle O’Bonsawin - Supreme Court of Canada
British Columbia
Chief Justice Leonard Marchand - British Columbia Court of Appeal & Yukon Court of Appeal
Ardith Walkem - BC Superior Court*
Newfoundland & Labrador
Stacy Ryan - NL Supreme Court
Nova Scotia:
Diane Rowe – NS Supreme Court
Pierre Leon Muise - NS Supreme Court
Tim Gabriel - NS Supreme Court
Aleta Cromwell - NS Supreme Court
North West Territories
Shannon Smallwood - Chief Justice NWT Supreme Court
Superior Courts
Ontario:
Todd Ducharme - Ontario Superior Court of Justice*
Harry Laforme - Ontario Court of Appeal, previously Ontario Superior Court of Justice (retired)
Rose Boyko - UN Administrative Appeals Tribunal, previously Ontario Superior Court of Justice, (retired)
Jonathon George - Ontario Court of Appeal, fom1erly Ontario Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Justice *
Catherine Rhinelander - Ontario Superior Court of Justice *
Helen Pierce - Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Quebec:
Rejean Paul - Quebec Superior Court (retired)
Mark Phillips- Quebec Superior Court
Saskatchewan
Natasha Crooks - Saskatchewan Court of King’s Bench, Previously Saskatchewan Provincial Court
Manitoba:
Ken Champagne - Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, previously Manitoba Provincial Court Chief Judge
Murray Sinclair - Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, previously Manitoba Provincial Court Associate Chief Judge (retired) * IPC
Federal:
L.S. Tony Mandamin Federal Court (supernumerary), previously Alberta Provincial Court (retired) * IPC
Paul Favel - Federal Court*
Roger Lafreniere - Federal Court, previously Federal Court Prothonotary
Julie Blackhawk - Federal Court
British Columbia:
Steven Point - BC Provincial Court *
Alexander M.D. Wolf - BC Provincial Court
Karen Whonnock - BC Provincial Court *
Linda Thomas - BC Provincial Court
Tina Dion - BC Provincial Court *
Alfred Scow - BC Provincial Court (deceased) John Joe BC Provincial Court (deceased)
Marion Buller Bennet - BC Provincial Court (retired) now Chancellor of University of Victoria *
Raymond Phillip - BC Provincial Court
Eugene Jamison - BC Provincial Court
Provincial & Territorial Courts
Alberta:
Danielle Dalton - Alberta Provincial Court *
Eugene J Creighton - Alberta Provincial Court (retired) Ivan ML Ladouceur Alberta Provincial Court
Karen A Crowshoe - Alberta Provincial Court *
Deborah ML Hanley - Alberta Justice of the Peace *
Thomas Goodson - Alberta Provincial Court (retired)
Grace Auger - Alberta Provincial Court
Ivan Ladouceur - Alberta Provincial Court
Saskatchewan:
Michelle Brass - Saskatchewan Provincial Court *
Ken Bellrose - Saskatchewan Provincial Cou11 (retired)
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond - Saskatchewan Provincial Court (retired) former BC Representative for Children and Youth, now law professor BC Peter A. Allard School of Law
Gerry Morin - Saskatchewan Provincial Court (retired)
Donald Bird - Saskatchewan Provincial Court (retired)
Murray Pelletier - Saskatchewan Provincial Court
Lua Gibb - Saskatchewan Provincial Court
Mary McAuley - Saskatchewan Provincial Court
Manitoba:
Kelly Moar - Manitoba Provincial Court
Doreen Redhead - Manitoba Provincial Court
Kael McKenzie - Manitoba Provincial Court
Vincent Sinclair - Manitoba Provincial Court
Ontario:
Terry Vyse - Ontario Court of Justice
Gethin Edward - Ontario Court of Justice
Joyce Lynn Pelletier - Ontario Court of Justice
Peter Isaac - Ontario Court of Justice
Catherine Mathais McDonald - Ontario Court of Justice
Jodie Lynn Waddilove - Ontario Court of Justice*
Timothy C Whetung - Ontario Court of Justice (retired)
Jessica Wolfe – Ontario Court of Justice*
Evelyn Baxter – Ontario Court of Justice*
Jenny Restoule-Mallozzi - Ontario Court of Justice
Andre Chamberlain- Ontario Court of Justice
New Brunswick:
Troy Sweet - NB Provincial Court * (not current)
Graydon Nicholas - NB Provincial Court (retired)
Newfoundland & Labrador:
James Igloliorte - Newfoundland & Labrador (retired)
Kerri (Kari) Ann Pike – Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Court
Northwest Territories:
Stephanie Whitecloud-Brass - Territorial Court of NWT
Nova Scotia
Catherine Benton - Provincial and Family Courts of Nova Scotia *
Kelly Serbu – Nova Scotia Provincial Court
Nunavut
Nicole Sikma - Nunavut Justice of the Peace Court
Akwesasne
Joyce Tekahnawiiaks King – Akwesasne Court
Indigenous Courts:
Annual Reports
The Board of Directors of the Indigenous Bar Association are pleased to present our 3rd annual report. This report summarizes most of the work the Board undertook in 2022/2023, in collaboration with our Members.
ABOUT THE COVER IMAGE AND ARTIST
The IBA is grateful to Lese Skidmore for allowing us to feature her beautiful artwork in this annual report.
Lese Skidmore is a First Nations woman of Anishinaabe and German decent from Roseau River First Nation. At the heart of her 20-year media career is a deep sense of care for Indigenous people, knowledges, cultures and rights. Lese strives towards social justice by creating media to guide Indigenous people towards asserting their agency, and knowledge about their rights, as they navigate oppressive systems. For the last twenty years, Lese has been an editor, producer, director and graphic designer at BearPaw Media and Education. She is currently the Legal Education Media Producer.
The Board of Directors of the Indigenous Bar Association are pleased to present our 2nd annual report. This report summarizes most of the work the Board undertook in 2021/2022, in collaboration with our Members.
ABOUT THE COVER IMAGE AND ARTIST
We are so grateful to Mary McPherson for allowing us to feature her beautiful artwork, and elements of it, in this annual report.
Mary McPherson is a daughter, sister, auntie, and a mixed Anishinaabe member of Couchiching First Nation in Northwestern Ontario, where her family is from. She grew up in Thunder Bay, working as a visual artist in the community while pursuing her undergraduate degree in Fine Arts and Indigenous Learning at Lakehead University. She has since obtained a J.D. from the University of Ottawa and is currently pursuing an LL.M. at Queen’s University.
The Board of Directors of the Indigenous Bar Association are pleased to present our first-ever annual report. This report summarizes most of the work the Board undertook in 2020/2021, in collaboration with our Members.
ABOUT THE COVER IMAGE AND ARTIST
We are so grateful to David Werner for allowing us to feature his beautiful artwork, and elements of it, in this annual report.
David is Michif/Métis His family members are Morrissettes from Duck Bay, Manitoba. Going back, his Parenteau family was at Batoche and going back further, they were at the Red River Settlement. Both his great-grandparents went to LeBret residential school around 1906. David’s interest in beadwork came later in life. He says, “We didn’t have any family beadwork pieces and I wanted to create beadwork for my children and future generations. I learned beadwork from Gregory Scofield and Amy Briley, since then all my designs are grounded in Métis and Northern Métis style.” David is a second year law at the University of Saskatchewan. He owns his own business that sells Métis-inspired stickers at metisstickerempire.ca.
Banner Photo by Ulysse Pointcheval, Unsplash | Art Elements by Storm Angeconeb